St. Andrew's House, Ipswich

St Andrews House in Grimwade Street, Ipswich, is to be redeveloped and converted to 50 affordable rent flats, with an extension agreed for 5 new-builds (RP: Suffolk Housing Society).

This site was bought to us by David Harris (M and D Developments) who we have worked with on other Suffolk projects. Formerly an office block on the site of the old County Hall, Suffolk Housing already has a flatted scheme here, completed in 2007.

Meeting conservation area obligations

The building already had permission to convert to flats, but a re-plan was required to meet Iceni’s specific needs and to gain approval for an extension for five additional flats. Each flat design varies slightly, while externally the building’s appearance had to be predominantly unchanged due its conservation area status. Prolonged exposure to the elements meant the structure was in a poor condition when work commenced.

Energy-efficiency and wheelchair accessibility

The flats – all of which are affordable rent – have been made as energy-efficient as possible, while three are fully wheel-chair accessible. There is a central communal courtyard along with parking spaces.

M and D Developments let the build contract to Barnes Construction.

SOS: March 2014, (new build extension September 2014) PC: March 2015. Handed over in three phases.